85.

New Mexico Shrew

Sorex neomexicanus

French: Musaraigne du Nouveau-Mexique / German: New-Mexico-Spitzmaus / Spanish: Musarafia de Nuevo México

Taxonomy. Sorex obscurus neomexicanus Bailey, 1913,

“ Cloudcroft, New Mexico (alt. 9000 feet [= 2743 m]), in the Sacramento Mountains,” USA.

Sorex neomexicanus is in the S. monticolus group along with S. monticolus and subgenus Otisorex. Sorex neomexicanus is morphologically distinct from S. monticolus but is nested within it genetically. Additional morphometric and genetic studies are needed to fully resolve whether S. neomexi-

canus 1s a valid species or subspecies of S. monticolus. Monotypic.

Distribution. Capitan and Sacramento Mts in SC New Mexico (SW USA); possibly extends also E to the Pecos River.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 67-8 mm, tail 43-8 mm, hindfoot 13-3 mm (measurements are averages). No specific data are available for body weight. The New Mexican Shrew is medium-sized, very similar to the Montane Shrew (S. monticolus). Dorsum is drab dark brown, with less red than in the Montane Shrew (obscurus), and venter is brownish gray. Tail is relatively long, narrow, and bicolored, being brown above and paler below with small tuft of hair at tip. The New Mexican Shrew is distinguished from the Montane Shrew (obscurus) by its unicuspid tooth row and palatal breadth between first unicuspids. Teeth are pigmented dark red. There are five unicuspids, third is smaller than fourth, and fifth is minute.

Habitat. Open areas surrounded by coniferous forests in sheltered canyons.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Virtually nothing is known of the rare and geographically restricted New Mexican Shrew, and additional research is needed to determine its taxonomic and conservation status.

Bibliography. Alexander (1996), Demboski & Cook (2001), NatureServe (Hammerson) et al. (2008).